The investigation into sexual harassment claims against former Reno City Manager Andrew Clinger has concluded, and the final report was released, Tuesday. While the report says the primary complaint was meritorious, the secondary complaints are "mostly without factual basis and may have been included to generate animosity toward Clinger to assure his demise as City Manager".
"I'm glad that we have conducted a neutral investigation and that we're finally getting back to where we can move on as a city and clarify our process and move forward," Karl Hall, Reno City Attorney said.
Three women accused Clinger of misconduct, less than a week after his contract was renewed, giving him a 3 percent raise. One of the complainants says Clinger rubbed her leg while they were sitting at a coffee bar, and touched her neck on an elevator. It could not be determined if those instances were sexual in nature. Another complainant says she witnessed the former City Manager and a female colleague, "groping" each other. She later said she did not see it happen, but heard the shuffling of clothing and "sounds of pleasure." Clinger and the woman knew about rumors of an affair and both denied they had any kind of romantic relationship.
"There was no conclusive evidence that that was going on," Hall said.
The complaints were brought forward in early July, and the initial investigation showed no wrong-doing. Then the city council voted to pay an outside investigator to do another investigation. In total, the cost was $235,000.
"We wanted to make sure that the public knew that we take any allegations seriously, that we want to make sure that we're providing a very professional work environment," Hall said.
Clinger resigned in September, but maintained his innocence. His severance package was worth more than $200,000.Â
"When any person is subject to an allegation, I think that's a difficult position to be put in," Hall said. "I think his response would be the same response anybody would have if they felt that they were wrongly accused."
According to the report, Clinger believes the three woman conspired to get him removed from his job, and that Councilwoman Naomi Duerr encouraged them to file complaints.
The names of the complainants were redacted from the report.
"We want to make sure that everybody feels comfortable coming forward, and if they do come forward that their name's not gonna be on the front page of the paper and there's gonna be a backlash," Hall said.
Despite the findings, many within the city offices say the work environment suffered under Clinger's leadership, referring to it as a "toxic cesspool", "toxic dysfunctional atmosphere" and "like a high school".
Hall says a new city manager could be chosen by April.
